A major emergency response remains underway in Palawan following a devastating fire aboard the passenger vessel M/V June Aster off the coast of Coron.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), alongside local emergency units, is actively conducting search and rescue operations to locate dozens of individuals who remain missing.
The blaze broke out on September 9, 2026, approximately 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla.
Upon receiving the initial report, the PCG immediately mobilized a joint response, coordinating with local Coast Guard substations, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Coron, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and nearby commercial vessels to facilitate immediate rescue efforts.
Specialist teams, including the Maritime Environmental Protection Unit and the Coast Guard Special Operations Group, were deployed alongside response vessels BRP Suluan and BRP Melchora Aquino to expand the search grid and combat the blaze.
As of September 11, official updates confirmed that responders have safely rescued 43 individuals, while five fatalities have been recovered.
The deceased were initially brought to the Barangay Turda Covered Court before being turned over to the Coron MDRRMO for identification and proper disposition.
According to PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, rescue teams are facing significant operational challenges due to thick, continuous smoke billowing from the vessel, which has prevented responders from safely boarding and searching the ship’s interior.
Investigators are also refining the passenger manifest to establish an accurate count of those missing.
While initial estimates placed the target search at 86 individuals, two passengers recently reported that although their names were listed on the official manifest, they had not actually boarded the vessel.
Consequently, authorities have adjusted the target count, focusing their systematic search efforts on locating the remaining 84 missing passengers and crew members.
The Coast Guard District Palawan and partner agencies remain on high alert, continuously monitoring the area and pushing to expand search operations across the surrounding waters.
